Written by Being raised in Florida, randomly on the side of the road and in every convenience store you could find crock pots full of delicious boiled peanuts. Now you can do it at home.
Avoid if you have high blood pressure or eliminate the salt ingredient.
Ingredients
2 pounds raw or green peanuts in the shell (NOT roasted peanuts)
4 quarts water
- 1/3-1/2 cup kosher or sea salt (I prefer accent 1/4 cup)(adjust salt according to taste; 1/2 cup is typical)
2 large ham knuckles
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke
For spicy ¼ cup Creole Cajun Seasoning
Instructions
Wash the peanuts to remove any debris, discarding any bad peanuts while you’re at it. If you’re using green peanuts, wash them 3 times, changing the water between washes. If you’re using raw peanuts you only need to wash them once.
Place the peanuts in a large pot with the water and salt bones and stir to combine. Stir in any additional seasonings if using. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the peanuts simmer. I weigh down the peanuts with a large dinner plate to ensure they remain immersed under water. Allow the peanuts to simmer for about 2 to 4 hours for green peanuts or 5-8 hours for raw peanuts, depending on the desired tenderness. Some people let them simmer all day. Check the peanuts occasionally for desired doneness. Some people prefer them very soft, almost mushy, while others like them firmer. Check the water level periodically and add more water as needed.
Once the peanuts have achieved their desired degree of doneness, remove the pot from the heat and let the peanuts cool in the cooking liquid. Once cooled, drain the peanuts.
Boiled peanuts can be enjoyed hot, at room temperature, or cold. You can reheat them in the microwave if you prefer them warm. To eat, crack open the shells, eat the nuts inside, and discard the shells.
They will store in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Calories: 418kcal
Carbohydrates: 16g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g
Monounsaturated Fat: 22g
Potassium: 566mg
Fiber: 7g
Sugar: 3g
Calcium: 1mg
Iron: 1mg
